This no sugar baked apple oatmeal is an easy, healthy make-ahead breakfast for babies and toddlers, though the whole family can enjoy it! It makes a great finger food for baby led weaning. (gluten-free)
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
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Why You'll Love Apple Bake Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal is one of my favorite healthy breakfasts for feeding a family, especially with little ones! This apple cinnamon baked oatmeal will become a favorite in your household too! It is:
- A great finger food for babies, BLW, and toddlers
- Full of wholesome ingredients like oats, apples, and chia seeds; and naturally sweetened with no added sugar
- High in protein and fiber
- Make-ahead and freezer friendly
- Easy to make with just one bowl and one baking dish
Ingredients
- Milk: I use regular diary milk (yes, babies can have it in recipes), but use any milk you like, including breastmilk if you have extra.
- Egg
- Applesauce: Homemade or store bought, just make sure it's unsweetened
- Rolled oats: Also called old fashioned oats; use certified gluten-free oats if necessary
- Chia seeds: Optional, but they add a nice nutritional boost (and are great for moving things along if baby is stopped up)
- Cinnamon & nutmeg: Nice warm flavors without added sugar
- Apple: Any variety is fine; just use a half if your apple is large
- Walnuts or pecans: Optional, but I like to sprinkle finely crushed nuts on top for extra nutrients and allergen exposure
Helpful equipment: Mixing bowl, Small baking dish, Whisk or fork, Coarse grater or sharp knife
Should I dice or grate the apple?
Either way is fine for babies, since they will get baked and soften to an appropriate texture. BLW babies and toddlers will be used to chunkier textures and can handle diced diced apple, for less experienced eaters or young BLW babes (6-8 months) you may choose to grate the apple instead. If you are dicing it, keep the pieces to 1 cm or smaller.
Step by Step Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the milk, egg and applesauce.
- Stir in the oats, chia seeds and spices.
- Stir in the diced or grated apple.
- Pour the mixture into a greased or parchment-lined baking dish. Top with crushed walnuts or pecans, if using.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting or removing from the dish.
Tips and Recipe Variations
- Pan size: I used a 6x8-inch baking dish. You can use as small as a loaf pan or as large as a square 8-inch dish. A loaf pan will need closer to 30 minutes to bake and will give you thicker pieces, while an 8-inch dish will only need around 20 minutes and will give you flatter pieces.
- Testing for doneness: The center should be set and not jiggle when the oatmeal is done. Allow it to cool in the dish for at least 10 minutes to set up before you cut it.
- Dairy-free: Use your favorite (unsweetened) non-dairy milk.
- Egg-free: I haven't tested this recipe without egg, but you should be able to use a flax egg or just increase the chia seeds to 1 tbsp.
- Extra sweetness: For older kiddos or adults who want a little more sweetness, you can drizzle some maple syrup on top of their portions after baking, or add 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar to the milk mixture.
- Other flavors: Feel free to add in other spices, such as apple pie spice, ginger, cardamom, or chai.
Storage and Reheating
Store baked oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen oatmeal in the refrigerator overnight.
To reheat, simply microwave on a microwave-safe plate for 15-20 seconds for baby portions, or 30-60 seconds for adult portions. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F wrapped in foil until warmed through. Test the temperature before serving to little ones!
How To Serve Baked Oatmeal for BLW
To serve baby led weaning style for 6-9 months, cut baked oatmeal into strips the length and width of 1-2 adult fingers. Once babies develop a pincer grasp usually around 9 months, you can cut it into bite-sized pieces, or keep offering in strips.
You can serve baked apple oatmeal with plain Greek yogurt, a drizzle of natural creamy peanut butter, applesauce, or whatever appropriate fruit you have on hand. Try it with baked apples or cinnamon sautéd apples on top!
Track your baby's journey through starting solids! Get my 100 First Foods Checklist and Allergen Checklist Bundle today!
More Baked Oatmeal Recipes for Baby & Toddler
- Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
- No Added Sugar Cherry Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Baked Oatmeal Muffins (No Added Sugar)
- Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (No Added Sugar)
- Tahini Banana Baked Oatmeal Muffins
Apple Baked Oatmeal for Baby and Toddler
This no sugar apple baked oatmeal is an easy, healthy make-ahead breakfast for babies and toddlers, though the whole family can enjoy it! It makes a great finger food for baby led weaning. (gluten-free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 adult servings or 4-6 baby/toddler servings 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup rolled oats, certified gluten-free if necessary
- 2 tsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 small apple, cored and diced or grated (see notes)
- 1-2 tablespoon finely crushed walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a small baking dish or line with parchment paper. I used a 6x8" dish, but you can go as small as a loaf pan or as large an an 8" square dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk the milk, egg, and applesauce.
- Stir in the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Stir in the diced or grated apple.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. If using, sprinkle evenly with finely chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes (you may need up to 30 minutes for a loaf pan). The center should be set when it's done.
- Cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting or removing from the baking dish.
Notes
- Pan size: I used a 6x8-inch baking dish. You can use as small as a loaf pan or as large as a square 8-inch dish. A loaf pan will need closer to 30 minutes to bake and will give you thicker pieces, while an 8-inch dish will only need around 20 minutes and will give you flatter pieces.
- Milk: Use any milk you like, even breastmilk if you have extra. I don't have a problem with babies having cow's milk before 12 months in a recipe.
- Apple: Apple diced smaller than 1 cm should be fine for all babies eating finger foods since it will be baked, however, if you'd rather have even smaller pieces, you can grate the apple with a coarse grater.
- Walnuts or pecans: I like the addition of nuts for more nutrient density and extra allergen exposure to tree nuts, but they are totally optional. If you're using them, make sure to finely crush or chop them (think breadcrumbs) for safety.
- Extra sweetness: For older kiddos or adults who want a little more sweetness, you can drizzle some maple syrup on top of their portions after baking, or add 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar to the milk mixture.
- Other flavors: Feel free to add in other spices, such as apple pie spice, ginger, cardamom, or chai.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for up to 5 days, or freezer for up to 3 months.
- See article above for options for serving using a BLW approach.
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